By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
How many rabbit punches should a foul-minded fighter be allowed to get away with. The super welterweight prospects bout between 14-0 Terrel Williams of Los Angeles, California, and 16-0 Prichard Colon, a Puerto Rican fighting out of Maitland, Florida, raised just that question. True, Colon got a two point penalty for a low blow. However, Williams got away with numerous Rabbit punches to the back of the head before losing a single point.
The greater point is, rules are established to protect the amateur and professional athlete’s safety and well-being. The Al Haymon Premier Boxing Champions card on NBC did not go well this past Saturday at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Virginia.
Colon went down twice in round nine, and returned to his corner before the final round behind on the cards. Colon’s corner inadvertently took his gloves off at the end of round nine, thinking the bout was over. The corner tried to put his gloves back on for the tenth and final round, but it was too late, and Colon got disqualified. As Colon took ill in his dressing room, the corner mistake probably saved his life by preventing further injury and expediting his trip to the hospital.
Colon is breathing on his own after emergency surgery to remove swelling on left side of the brain. A five time national amateur, Colon’s career was sparkling after a fourth round knockout of former world welterweight champion Vivian Harris. Now, his life hangs in the balance. Also on the same boxing card, former IBF World Super Lightweight champion Lamont Peterson won a ten round decision over 17-0 Dominican 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Felix Diaz. For sure, Diaz and Colon were favored on this card but they both lost.
Say a prayer for Prichard Colon. He is fighting every second, every minute, every moment, every hour, and every day for his life. Having dealt with the Deuk-Koo Kim, Benny ‘Kid’ Paret, Willie Classen, Beethavean Scottland and Magomed Abdusalamov tragedies and their implications in my lifetime as a writer of boxing, further tragedy is something the sport must accept, however uncommon. In contact sports there are always risks. The referee should have stopped the rabbit punches on Colon immediately. They are illegal.
“Prichard Colon became symptomatic in his dressing room following his bout with Terrel Williams Saturday afternoon at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, VA. Within moments, he was under the care of EMTs and was rushed to Inova Fairfax Hospital. He suffered a brain bleed as a result of an injury during the bout and underwent immediate surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. His condition remains critical. Prichard’s family has requested that their privacy be respected at this time. Updates will be provided when appropriate. We ask that everyone join us in praying for Prichard and his family.”
Recent Update From His family-
Greetings to all, we know the good intentions of all the friends, fans and Sports Press. However, the only information authenticates on Prichard Colon is publicarapor this medium. Prichard continues in a state of coma. Although breathes voluntarily, this incubated, please discard information of some pages. We appreciate the genuine interest in these moments the family asks them patience.Thank you very much!God bless you!
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